An organ donor is someone who agrees to allow his or her organs to be used for surgical transplant into another patient to replace a damaged organ. Agreeing to become an organ donor requires some thought and consideration. Once you are prepared to do so, the UK government allows you to agree to become a living or deceased donor.

Learn about becoming a living donor. A living donor is someone who is willing to transplant their organs, or parts of their organs, while still alive. This can help people on donation lists because they do not need to wait for a potential donor to die. Agreeing to this means you will need to undergo major surgery to remove your organs if they are needed.[1]XResearch source

Living donors can only offer certain organs and tissues for donation, as they are the only ones you can live while still taking them out. Kidneys, the liver, and bone and amniotic membranes are the only organs you can offer as a living donor. Kidneys in particular are needed in the UK, and kidneys from live donors are more likely to survive as transplants than those from a deceased donor.[2]XResearch source

Most living donors are family members, donating to siblings, parents, or children. It is also possible to become what is called a Non-Direct, or Altruistic, donor. This is someone who agrees to donate to someone they may not know if their organs are a good match.[3]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

As a live donor, you have the right to change your mind about donating, right up to the point where you go into surgery.

Make sure you can be a donor. There are restrictions on the people who can be donors, to ensure that their organs are healthy and will grow if placed in a new body. Your doctor can do the tests you need to pass in order to become a donor. If you are interested, just ask him about it.[4]XResearch source

The only blanket age restrictions on organ donation are in Scotland, where you must be age 16 years or older. Most donors, though, are over 18, and those under 18 are usually only considered under extreme circumstances, and need court approval. Children cannot register as non-direct donors.

You cannot be an organ donor if you have had cancer that spread in the last 12 months, a severe or untreated infection, or a nervous system condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)[5]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

Sign up for the Organ Donor Register. The NHS maintains a confidential database of everyone in the UK who has agreed to be an organ donor. There are several ways you can sign up for the Register.[6]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

Undergo the proper tests for your eligibility. Once you declare your desire to become an organ donor, you will be assigned a Living Donor Coordinator, who will help walk you through the process. You will then take a series of physical tests for your general health and the specific organs you wish to donate to make sure they are healthy and could help someone in need.[7]XResearch source

You will also undergo a psychological assessment as part of the process. The exam will include discussing your reasons for donating and mental health history. Organ donation can be an emotional process, and the NHS wants to make sure that there is minimal risk to your mental health.

Tell other people. You should let others, such as friends or close family, know that you have signed up for organ donation. They can provide moral support if it is time for you to donate, or confirm your wishes if you are unable to when the organs are needed. In addition, you may convince other people to sign up as well.[8]XResearch source

Learn about becoming a deceased donor. A deceased donor is someone who agrees to donate their organs after they die. Deceased donors can provide a wider variety of organs, including kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, the small bowel, corneas, and other tissue.[9]XResearch source

At the end of your life, your death will be confirmed by a consultant who is not connected to the donor system. After that, the operators will then operate to remove your organs and examine them for suitability for transplant.[10]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

Make sure you can be a donor. There are restrictions on the people who can be donors, to ensure that their organs are healthy and will grow if placed in a new body. Your doctor can do the tests you need to pass in order to become a donor. If you are interested, just ask him about it.[11]XResearch source

You cannot be an organ donor if you have had cancer that spread in the last 12 months, a severe or untreated infection, or a nervous system condition called Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)[12]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

Sign up for the Organ Donor Register. The NHS maintains a confidential database of everyone in the UK who has agreed to be an organ donor. There are several ways you can sign up for the Register.[13]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

Make sure your friends and family are clear about your wishes. Family members have the right to decline your donation, so by letting them know, you can ensure your wishes will be carried out. Additionally, if you have not signed up for the databases, your family members can agree to donate your organs following your death.[14]XResearch source

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Community Q&A

Tips

Being an organ donor is not a blanket agreement. You can choose to donate only some of your organs. Additionally, if only some of your organs are healthy enough for donation, you can agree to donate just those.

It is possible for a living donor to give additional organs, including a segment of lung or portion of the small bowel, but those surgeries have not been done in the UK.[15]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source

While shared ethnicity is not necessary for successful organ donations, there are several conditions that are more common in different ethnic groups. These can increase the possibility of needing a donation, or make it harder to match organs. The UK is in greater need of donors from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) groups.[16]XResearch source

At no point in time should you receive money for your organs. Paying for donated organs is against the law in the UK.[17]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source